Apartment Shooting Latest

An investigation continues after more than 20 gunshot rounds were fired at an apartment complex in Meridian. This happened around 8:30 Tuesday night at Western Gardens Apartments. Residents say the shots came from several vehicles that converged on the backside of the complex. At the time many people were outside the buildings. At least one person was struck by a bullet.

"There were several cars involved," says Tina Gayles who is a resident at Western Gardens. "One red car was parked right here at the back. There was a white Yukon behind the red car. They were shooting out of the red car first and then the Yukon came around and the dudes were laying on the back and they were shooting outside the truck and on the back of the truck; there were even more cars involved, and all of these children were out here playing on this playground; they could have hit anybody's child, anybody's!"

In all, police estimate that about 20 to 30 rounds were fired at the complex. Investigators believe that at least two guns were used. We counted at least 10 gunshots that penetrated a wall on the second floor of one apartment building. Next to that complex we found another building where a gunshot pierced the second floor wall near a child's bedroom window. When the shots were fired, residents say the child was inside the room.

"It was basically a drive-by aimed at someone in the apartment complex, and we believe that the intended victim was not injured," says Captain Dean Harper with the Meridian Police Department. He says the shooting victim was a 20-year-old female, who has since undergone surgery after suffering a gunshot wound to the lower torso. According to Harper, she's expected to make a full recovery.

Meanwhile, Tina Gayles who lives in the complex says she's confident that the gunmen Tuesday night were the same ones who now say that they recently shot her son's car by mistake.

"The same ones who shot my son's car on Father's Day night were the same ones who shot here. I saw the car!"

At this time police are not releasing an exact motive for the drive-by shooting. Also, no arrests have been made. Investigators have names of possible suspects, but they still need more witnesses to talk to investigators. People with information about the crime are asked to call Crimestoppers at (601) 485-1860. All callers can remain anonymous.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.